Former England pacer Steve Harmison believes wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler is unsure in his head on how to approach his innings at the Test level. For Harmison, Buttler has a scrambled thought process and lacks clarity on how to go about scoring runs in the Test whites for England. This contentious statement came the very day […]
Former England pacer Steve Harmison believes wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler is unsure in his head on how to approach his innings at the Test level. For Harmison, Buttler has a scrambled thought process and lacks clarity on how to go about scoring runs in the Test whites for England.
This contentious statement came the very day Jos Buttler was lauded by fans and experts for his hard grind on the final day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide. The usually freeflowing right-hand bat played a patient and resillient knock of 26 which lasted a whopping 207 balls to try and salvage a draw for his team.
While Buttler eventually failed in his ambitious attempt, his innings was enough evidence of his adaptability and willingness to bite the bullet for England in Test match cricket. The 31-year-old showcased an extra dimension to his game and once and for all dispelled accusations of naysayers that he isn’t so interested in playing the red-ball version for England.
Watch: Jos Buttler’s Terrific Adelaide Grind Ends With An Unfortunate Hit-Wicket
Jos Buttler led England’s fight for a draw in the Adelaide Test.
However, ex right-arm quick Harmison criticised Jos Buttler in a statement, claiming that the batter is not clear with regards to his approach at the crease in Test cricket. Harmison’s remark echoed a sentiment that many others have also had for Buttler in Tests.
The right-hand batter played an inspirational knock on the final afternoon in Adelaide but he failed in his previous three innings of the Ashes 2021-22. Buttler averages a less than ideal 32.81 after his 55 Tests for England with 2,888 runs.
Speaking on former Australia wristspinner Brad Hogg’s Youtube show, Harmison offered an interesting view, saying while it’s great that Jos Buttler can operate in extremes as a Test batter, it’s important for his longevity for England that he finds a middle ground with his scoring rate.
“The problem with Jos Buttler is that he does not know how to bat in Test match cricket. Whether to go for it or do what he did today. In space of a month, we’ve seen him score 101 off 50 balls to 28 off 200 balls. He just struggles to find a happy medium of getting in between. He usually gets out around that 20-30 run mark,” Harmison said.
Harmison was also critical of Jos Buttler’s keeping during the pink-ball D/N Test where he dropped at least two relatively easy chances. Harmison also came in defence of England’s bowling for a Test where the tourists collapsed to scores of 236 and 192 in a crushing 275-run defeat.
“Jos Buttler himself knows he should have taken those catches. If I was Broad or Anderson I’d be saying that we’ve been bowled out for 230 and 190 on a flat wicket and you’re throwing bowlers under the bus. It could be a nasty bowlers vs batters contest in the next team meeting in that dressing room,” said the 43-year-old, who also advocated for Mark Wood’s reinclusion for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
